Let's be honest. The pandemic was hard on us for a wide variety of reasons... and one way its impact is showing on us now?
You guessed it. Our weight.
More than 61% of Americans confirmed they dealt with weight gain since the pandemic lockdowns began more than a year ago in March 2020.
It seems that includes celebrities like the much-loved Will Smith of Men In Black, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and I, Robot.
But true to Smith's personality, he's chosen to face his new body with humor rather than resentment.
On Instagram this week, Smith shared a simple post that received ample praise for its honesty.
In the image, Smith was wearing an unzipped jacket, shorts and house slippers. Obvious in the picture, as well, is the less-defined physique of an actor who is well-known for intense physical training in his films, as well as performing his own stunts.
Smith wrote:
"I'm gonna be real with y'all. I'm in the worst shape of my life."
Some deeply related to the image, especially after the past year.
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@willsmith/Instagram
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@willsmith/Instagram
Others agreed and appreciated the Smith's honesty.
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@willsmith/Instagram
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@willsmith/Instagram
A few thought Smith still had a lot to be thankful for.
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@willsmith/Instagram
And there were some who still found Smith to be a total thirst trap.
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@willsmith/Instagram
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@willsmith/Instagram
@willsmith/Instagram
Social media works hard to be a bright and shiny object, where we're supposed to brag about our proudest, most positive moments. It often objects to or ignores our darker moments of struggle or moments when we may feel "less than," like when we put on a few pounds.
And this is especially true for celebrities. We're shown airbrushed and professionally styled icons and we're trained to think they can do no wrong and experience no struggles.
They are meant to be, in a word, perfect.
But Smith just did a solid for his followers. In one post, he communicated if a celebrity can be honest and gain weight during a thing as momentous as a pandemic, then his followers could, too.
And the best part? They could even take a moment to laugh about it, in a positive light.
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